Hey gang - 88 GTA. Got a new Deka AGM battery last August. Always keep it on a battery tender when the car sits for a while (which was most of the winter). Been taking the car out recently and cold starts are usually just fine. No issues at all. But then after I turn the car off and go to RESTART it, I will occassionally get nothing but dash lights and a single 'click'. When this happens, I have to wait. Sometimes'it's been just a few minutes before it'll crank again, sometimes it's been over an hour. Here's the caveats:

- The car could be running for 30 seconds or 3 hours before I go to restart it. It's happened in both instances. So I don't think it's a heat issue causing the electronics not to function right

- The battery was tested today for dead cells and cranking amps - came out perfect. No issues there

- Connections at battery are tight and clean. No electronics are on that would drain the battery when the engine isn't running.

- Charging system (alternator) is working / charging just like it should

Given the above, I was inclined to think it might be a starter problem, or a bad connection / ground. But what's got me stumped is that, when the engine doesn't crank, I can hookup some jumper cables from another car to the battery's terminals and it'll fire right up. That leads me to believe it's MY battery that's causing the problem, but again - a test today apparently showed no issues with it. Any suggestions out there would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

well, your starter is trying to engage. thats what i think the "Click" sound is try wiggling some wires on the starter.

 

In case someone else does a search on a similar problem:

I went under the car today. The starter does have a heat sheild. And it's not the standard one found on the original trans ams. I guess cause mine is a 350 5.7 engine the starter is different. When I removed the heat shield and I saw the positive connections at the starter were SUPER lose and rusted. So I re-threaded the nut and cleaned it all up. Let's hope for the best...especially since a new one of these will cost me $160.00. Still wierd to me why jumper cables would make it start though.

Another interesting note - I took off the starter completely and noticed there was only ONE bolt holding it on (the longer one). Why - somebody completely BROKE the housing on the engine block that the 2nd bolt would go into. There's not even a hole anymore - it's just gone. So I currently have no way of securing the starter with a second bolt. I can only hope the one bolt will continue to hold it in place.